More than 250 activists representing a range of organizations, have signed a statement initiated by the National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), condemning the detention of six social and environmental activists in Jammu Kashmir under the Public Safety Act (PSA).
The detained individuals, who were advocating for socio-environmental justice and raising concerns about large-scale infrastructure projects, were accused of attempting to “obstruct projects of national importance.”
The signatories called for their immediate release, demanding the withdrawal of charges against them for simply exercising their right to voice ecological concerns.
Among the detained activists are Mohammad Abdullah Gujjar, Noor Din, Ghulam Nabi Choppan, Mohammad Jaffer Sheikh, Mohammad Ramzan, and Rehamatullah, a 25-year-old climate activist from Doda.
According to the NAPM statement issued to The Kashmiriyat the detainees were raising concerns over the environmental and socio-economic impacts of hydropower projects, including infrastructure damage, environmental violations, and poor compensation for affected communities.
“The activists were not obstructing development but were raising pertinent issues such as environmental degradation, damage to local properties due to blasting, and the lack of proper rehabilitation,” said the NAPM statement.
Rehamatullah, who was detained under the PSA, had been actively investigating a local solid waste management scandal, exposing mismanagement that endangered public health and the environment.
His detention has sparked particular outrage, as his work was directly linked to transparency and accountability in local governance.
The statement from the signatories, including prominent figures such as Prof. Roop Rekha Verma, Rama Teltumbde, Kavita Srivastava, and Dr. Sandeep Pandey, expressed grave concern over the suppression of ecological activism.
“Socio-ecological justice activism and raising legitimate concerns should not be mislabeled as ‘anti-national’. Attempts to silence dissent by branding it as ‘anti-national’ weaken the foundations of democratic governance,” the statement read.
The NAPM emphasized that the opposition to hydro-power and mega infrastructure projects is not limited to Jammu & Kashmir, but is a growing movement across the Himalayan states due to the environmental threats these projects pose to the region.
“Clamping down on ecological movements only hampers the much-needed struggle to combat the climate crisis,” the statement asserted.
The signatories appealed to both the Jammu & Kashmir government and the Union Government to refrain from high-handed interventions.
“As people on the ground voice legitimate concerns in a peaceful way, it is crucial that the authorities act responsibly,” the NAPM said.
The statement also called on the new government in Jammu Kashmir to uphold democratic rights and address the concerns of environmental defenders, especially as the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) begins in Baku.
NAPM’s statement concluded with a demand for the immediate and unconditional release of the detainees and the withdrawal of all charges against them. “Activism and dissent are essential components of a healthy democracy,” it said, urging authorities to prioritize ecological justice and ensure participatory environmental assessments.